Pat Webster has won many big races at Randwick but none means more than Happy Clapper’s Villiers Stakes.
The five-year-old has been carefully managed by the trainer and his foreman son Wayne and went to Saturday’s Group Two race at just his 12th start.
Happy Clapper
That didn’t deter punters with Happy Clapper maintaining favouritism since markets opened to start at $4.80.
After putting the gelding in a handy position, Brenton Avdulla was forced to switch to the inside in the straight, just where he didn’t want to be.
But in the end it mattered little, with Happy Clapper holding off the challenge from Queensland mare Tinto ($26) by a length with topweight It’s Somewhat ($13) another short neck third.
“It’s all about family,” Pat Webster said as his son fought to keep his emotions in check.
“Wayne does so much work with this horse and this is the reward.
“I’ve had some good horses. Ab Initio and Shy Hero won a TJ Smith and we had At Sea after Theo Green had him.
“But I’d have to say this is the best horse we’ve had. He has more scope and I can’t wait to see him over 2000 metres.”
Webster admitted he was concerned when he saw Happy Clapper coming along the rail.
“It was exactly where I didn’t want him to be,” he said.
“But all’s well that ends well.”
Things have not always gone smoothly for Happy Clapper who has had his share of problems since he was injured when spooked by a fox at trackwork.
“Chris O’Sullivan at the Randwick Equine Centre has done a lot of work on this horse and his owner Michael Thomas has been patient.
“That is very important.”
From his limited number of starts, Happy Clapper has won six including a benchmark race at Rosehill two weeks ago carrying 60.5kg.
“Winning that race got him into the Villiers on 53 (kg),” Webster said.
“That was important.
“The plan now is to run him in the Summer Cup in two weeks over 2000 metres.”
The win gives Happy Clapper an automatic ticket to the $3 million Doncaster Mile in the autumn, a race the Websters are keen to target.
Avdulla also believes the gelding will be up to the challenge.
“There is no reason why not,” he said.
“And there’s no doubt he will be just as good at 2000 metres.
“I can’t take much of the credit. I just sit and steer.”
